Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 Dynamics Processor

The Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 is a digitally controlled analog dynamics processor that offers four channels of modal PWM compression for tracking, mixing, live sound, and mastering applications. Each channel features six distinct compression modes, allowing you to achieve everything from gentle analog-style vocal smoothing to aggressive parallel compression, polished "glue" for your mix bus, and beyond. Flexible routing options enable mono, stereo, dual-band, and mid-side processing, while the unique Stress and Enigma controls add harmonics and shape the dynamic response. With other useful features including insert points, sidechain circuits, and software control via USB and NET, the Brick Lane MC4 packs incredible creative potential into a modest two rack spaces.

SIX DISTINCT COMPRESSION MODES

The Brick Lane MC4 offers six compression modes: VELVET, FLOAT, SMASH, TAME, GLUE, and POLISH. Each mode uses a different Modal PWM behavior to control the analog gain reduction stage, giving you the flexibility to achieve a wide range of classic compression sounds.

• VELVET mode flavors your tracks with a classic tube-like tone
• FLOAT offers optical-style leveling
• SMASH delivers aggressive FET-style compression
• TAME unlocks ultra-fast transient control
• GLUE brings your mix bus under control
• POLISH provides mastering-grade limiting with lookahead

Each mode changes the behavior and response of the analog compression circuit, giving you a broad palette of options for smoothing out vocals, beefing up drum tracks, hyping up mixes, or putting the final touches on your master.

SERIES MODE: CREATING DYNAMICS CHAINS

Series mode lets you route a single signal path through two dynamics channels without any external patching. Shape a vocal with FLOAT's soft optical compression and give it some analog flavor with VELVET. Or make your drums pump with SMASH mode and use TAME to prevent clipping. You can even run your whole mix through GLUE and POLISH for a one-stop mastering chain.

DUAL-BAND MODE: POWERFUL MULTI-BAND COMPRESSION

Dual-Band mode splits the signal into low- and high-frequency bands and processes them through two dynamic stages before recombining them. This unique feature gives you advanced control over full-range sources like drum kits, room mics, synth tracks, and mix buses. Tighten up kicks and snares without affecting cymbals, control sub frequencies in bass tracks while retaining natural transients, or clamp down on vocal sibilance without affecting the "body" of the sound. A sidechain high-pass filter with 60 Hz, 100 Hz, and 200 Hz settings gives you even more control over the detector behaviour, so you can shape dynamics precisely and without compromise.

MONO, STEREO, AND MID/SIDE MODES

The Brick Lane MC4 modal PWM compressor can be configured for multi-mono, linked stereo, or mid/side operation.

• Mono mode allows the four dynamics channels to process signals independently, which is perfect for tracking sessions when you need to compress kick drum, snare, bass, and vocal tracks simultaneously.
• Stereo mode links the detector response across two channels to provide bus-style compression with consistent gain reduction on the left and right.
• Mid/Side mode processes the center and side information of a stereo signal independently, giving you maximum control over drum and mix busses.

Best of all, you can use these modes in any combination, making the MC4 one of the most versatile compressors on the market.

ADVANCED DE-ESSING WITH ANALOG LOOKAHEAD

Equipped with a dedicated de-esser mode, the MC4 offers analog lookahead for sussing out sibilance. This feature anticipates transients in the detection path first, allowing the compressor to react before the signal hits the audio path. Lookahead de-essing intelligently targets sibilance in vocals, cymbals, and even woodwinds, instantly softening problematic frequencies with minimal impact on the overall tone and dynamics. Get rid of sibilance before it hits your DAW, target tracks surgically in the mix, or de-ess your master bus to completely eliminate harshness while preserving natural articulation.

DEDICATED SIDECHAIN INPUTS

The Brick Lane MC4 modal PWM dynamics processor features dedicated sidechain inputs per channel, allowing you to trigger compression with an external audio source or filtered signal. Sidechain inputs only trigger the detection circuits, so you can influence the compressor's response without changing the original input signal. Insert a high-pass filter to keep kick drums from affecting cymbal compression, EQ the sidechain signal to create your own de-esser modes, or use a bass track to trigger compression on your master bus for EDM-style pumping.

ANALOG INSERTS FOR EXTERNAL HARDWARE

Each dynamics channel on the Cranborne Audio Brick Lane MC4 features a bypassable hardware insert with balanced Send and Return jacks for incorporating professional outboard gear into the signal chain. Inserts can be placed before or after the analog PWM signal path, or even between M-S encode/decode stages to target the original signal or the mid and side channels individually. Insert your favorite EQs, saturation modules, or even other compressors before, after, or between compression stages.

FULLY DIGITALLY CONTROLLED WITH USB AND NETWORK OPTIONS

As a digitally controlled analog compressor, the Brick Lane MC4 modal PWM dynamics processor combines real analog sound (free from digital conversion) with the flexibility of digital workflows. USB and Ethernet connectivity provide extensive remote control functionality, including real-time plug-in control, DAW automation, and preset management. Tweak settings in the box, automate compression knee and ratio characteristics, or save and recall settings for multiple processors, all without taking your hand off the mouse.

STRESS CONTROLS FOR ADJUSTING HARMONIC RESPONSE

The proprietary Stress control introduces even-order harmonic saturation and powerful multiband control. Unlike typical saturation circuits, Stress offers six distinct multi-band analog saturation circuits, each specifically designed to operate with its corresponding modal PWM compression mode. The signal's harmonic content changes with the level and envelope, recreating the nonlinear, musical character of classic analog equipment.

ENIGMA - ADVANCED COMPRESSION CONTROL

The Enigma feature unlocks deeper parameter control, letting you tailor knee shape, attack and release weighting, detector behavior, and high-frequency emphasis with extreme precision. Enigma gives you the power to sculpt how transients are treated, how gain reduction is applied over time, and how the compressor reacts to specific frequencies.